Sale of patriotic M&Ms to raise Red Cross funds

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

Mars Inc. plans to raise $3 million for the American Red Cross in the next few weeks with the sale of its patriotic-colored M&Ms.

The candy manufacturer will donate 100 percent of its profits from the sale of specially marked bags containing the red, white and blue versions of the tiny, round candy shell-coated chocolates first manufactured in 1941.

The company usually packages a limited supply of those colors in the weeks leading up to Independence Day, but in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, it decided to bring back the American flag colors for a special run.

"We wanted to do something special to help all Americans through this period," said Barbara King, spokeswoman for Masterfoods USA, a division of Mars, in New York. "At least $3 million will be donated to a new campaign called 'Taking Care of America Everyday' which will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."

The patriotic candies are now on sale at major retail stores locally, including Wal-Mart and Albertson's, King said.

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